2008 Woodie Awards
Counseling Corner
When there are no words
Jody Morrison
Issue date: 3/31/06 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Sometimes it is difficult to understand why things happen. Losing someone we care about and love is one of the most profoundly difficult things we all must face in life. Death unfortunately is a part of life.
Grieving the loss of someone we care about is especially difficult because the deaths we have experienced in the past few weeks were so unexpected. Losing more than one is beyond difficult - it is agonizing. Young adults aren't supposed to be snatched from us without warning. Yet, recently Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has lost our own through death. This article is written for the friends and family who are left behind to grieve.
For those that are left behind, there is no one way to grieve. Grief and loss can take on so many different reactions for each individual. A person may experience a wide range of emotions and there is no order or time frame to the grieving process. Some emotions you may experience include, but are not limited to: denial, shock, disbelief, confusion, anger, humiliation, despair, guilt and sadness. These reactions are expected and feeling as though you are on a rollercoaster of emotions is possible as well.
A death can trigger other feelings and memories of other losses in our lives. This may explain the strong reaction by some that did not know the people that passed away. Having dealt with death prior, may not make it easier for some to grieve. It can make processing our feelings more difficult as we may retreat to avoid feeling the loss.
Again, there is no one way to grieve. What we do know is that it takes time and allowing yourself the time to fully acknowledge, accept, and absorb this terrible event will help a person heal from the loss. We will never stop missing our loved ones, but the pain will ease after time and it will allow us all to go on with our lives.
It is important to realize that even though we can support others and let others support us there are times when it may seem as though nothing helps. If you or a friend are feeling caught in a painful cycle of grieving and other important things in your life are suffering like grades, relationships, eating or sleeping please contact Health Services to speak to our staff or counselor.
We are all very saddened by the passing of the people connected to Embry-Riddle and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those who are gone.
Jody Morrison
Counseling Services
777-6653
[misov35b@erau.edu]
Grieving the loss of someone we care about is especially difficult because the deaths we have experienced in the past few weeks were so unexpected. Losing more than one is beyond difficult - it is agonizing. Young adults aren't supposed to be snatched from us without warning. Yet, recently Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has lost our own through death. This article is written for the friends and family who are left behind to grieve.
For those that are left behind, there is no one way to grieve. Grief and loss can take on so many different reactions for each individual. A person may experience a wide range of emotions and there is no order or time frame to the grieving process. Some emotions you may experience include, but are not limited to: denial, shock, disbelief, confusion, anger, humiliation, despair, guilt and sadness. These reactions are expected and feeling as though you are on a rollercoaster of emotions is possible as well.
A death can trigger other feelings and memories of other losses in our lives. This may explain the strong reaction by some that did not know the people that passed away. Having dealt with death prior, may not make it easier for some to grieve. It can make processing our feelings more difficult as we may retreat to avoid feeling the loss.
Again, there is no one way to grieve. What we do know is that it takes time and allowing yourself the time to fully acknowledge, accept, and absorb this terrible event will help a person heal from the loss. We will never stop missing our loved ones, but the pain will ease after time and it will allow us all to go on with our lives.
It is important to realize that even though we can support others and let others support us there are times when it may seem as though nothing helps. If you or a friend are feeling caught in a painful cycle of grieving and other important things in your life are suffering like grades, relationships, eating or sleeping please contact Health Services to speak to our staff or counselor.
We are all very saddened by the passing of the people connected to Embry-Riddle and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of those who are gone.
Jody Morrison
Counseling Services
777-6653
[misov35b@erau.edu]